THE POLICE AND THE UNEMPLOYED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21542, 14 January 1932, Page 13

THE POLICE AND THE UNEMPLOYED

TO THE EDITOR. Siß, —I -read with much appreciation the remarks of your contributor. “Wayfarer,” ip this morning’s paper on the performance of our local unemployed on Saturday last, and the miserable tinkling of the powers that be to the forces of disorder, which appear to have scored a victory all along the line. Whilst giving the police all credit for their very great forbearance and tact, it seems to me that these disturbances ot the public peace were allowed entirely too much latitude, especially when the hold-up of the traffic is taken into account. This should not have been permitted for an instant, and I venture to suggest that a dozen hefty policemen, armed with batons, would have cleared this crowd off the streets in five minutes, and have allowed the trams to continue running and peaceful citizens to go about their lawful business. After the success of the unemployed on this occasion I have no doubt but that we will have a repetition of Saturday s riot, and I venture to suggest that the authorities should take steps to deal drastically with any further manifestations of this nature, and uphold our reputation as a law-abiding community. As our worthy Prime Minister has said, law and order must be maintained at all costs. —I am, etc., A New Zeai.ander. Dunedin, January 13.